10 Must-See Tourist Attractions in Japan

Japan is made up of 6,852 islands within the Pacific Ocean, with 43 distinct prefectures. There may be a lot to see and do in Japan, you most likely can’t get all of it achieved in a single go to. In the event you’re planning a visit to the “land of the rising solar,” remember to take into account visiting these prime ten vacationer sights whilst you’re there.

10. Scorching Spring Inns

In the event you’re seeking to have a soothing trip, it’s best to take into account reserving a keep at an “Onsen Ryokan,” which is a scorching spring lodge. The Japanese islands lay on a volcanic belt, so there are over 27,000 scorching springs everywhere in the nation, with Three,zero85 scorching springs lodges. Japanese scorching springs are well-known for their healing properties. Some even declare that the waters clear pores and skin and reverse growing older. There are each trendy and conventional type onsen motels so that you can select from, and irrespective of the place you go in Japan, you’re just about assured to search out an onsen ryokan close by.

Simply take into account earlier than you go that it’s custom to get fully bare whenever you go right into a scorching spring, so solely go should you’re actually assured standing in entrance of strangers in your birthday swimsuit… Or simply pay further to order a personal space.

9. Mt. Fuji

In the event you love the outside, take into account taking a climb up the 12,388-foot tall Mt. Fuji. The paths are solely open from July to September, resulting from the truth that it will get very chilly on the prime of the mountain. In the event you’re solely there for a day, you may climb to the fifth station, which is a 12-hour roundtrip hike.

If you’re feeling adventurous, you may e book lodging close to the summit of the mountain, so you may watch the dawn along with different mountain climbers. Simply remember that this takes a full 24 hours to climb to the highest of Mt. Fuji. In the event you’re not ready to trek your means up the summit, you may nonetheless take footage from far-off. Probably the most well-liked spots for pictures of Mt. Fuji is Gotemba Peace Park in Gotemba Metropolis, which is open all 12 months.

eight. Tokyo DisneySea

Tokyo is likely one of the many cities world wide that has its personal Disneyland theme park. In 2001, a wholly new theme park opened in Tokyo, known as Tokyo DisneySea. Because the identify suggests, the park has an aquatic theme, and there are many water rides, which makes it an ideal place to go to through the summer time. It options a lot of Disney’s water-themed motion pictures like The Little Mermaid, Discovering Nemo, and 20,000 Leagues Beneath the Sea, in addition to some remastered favorites, like The Tower of Terror.

There may be additionally a complete space dedicated to Aladdin known as “The Arabian Coast,” which is able to make you’re feeling as should you’re actually strolling across the metropolis of Agrabah. Other than the rides, the park’s lodging are extremely detailed, like The Hotel Miracosta, which is a recreation of a Mediterranean harbor. Many individuals have known as Tokyo DisneySea “the world’s best theme park,” however you’ll simply have to go to to guage for your self.

7. Akihabara and Harajuku

If you’re spending a number of time in Tokyo, Akihabara and Harajuku are the 2 prime purchasing districts within the metropolis. Akihabara is an anime fan’s dream come true. Streets are lined with huge shops crammed with cosplay, anime, manga, and electronics. It’s completely regular to see followers strolling the streets wearing full cosplay. For these of you who aren’t inquisitive about anime, Harajuku is the style district, and it’s the proper place to purchase garments you may’t discover again residence.

It’s crammed with high-end manufacturers in addition to thrift shops promoting second-hand clothes and niknaks. In each of those sections of Tokyo, there are a great deal of leisure choices like stay live performance performances and themed cafes. To prime it off, most of the shops allow you to store tax-free.

6. Tokyo Tower and the SkyTree

Probably the most well-known vacationer sights in Japan is Tokyo Tower, which was constructed within the 1950s as an antenna for TV broadcasts. Its design was impressed by the Eiffel Tower in France, and it even lights up at night time, identical to the unique. Vacationers climb the tower to its prime commentary deck each single day. Nevertheless, Tokyo Tower is much from being the very best level within the metropolis.

The tallest tower is known as The SkyTree. Each towers give an unimaginable birds-eye view of Tokyo, and the SkyTree even has its personal purchasing heart and aquarium. Remember the fact that tickets to each of those buildings might be costly, and the strains are extremely lengthy. In order for you an amazing view of Tokyo Tower with out ready in line, attempt visiting Shiba Park as a substitute.

5. Matsumoto Fortress

Purchasing and amusement parks might be enjoyable, however perhaps a few of you historical past buffs are craving one thing a bit extra conventional. Matsumoto Castle is likely one of the final remaining castles in Japan. It was constructed within the 1500s, and housed 23 completely different feudal lords throughout its lifetime.

The spring is likely one of the hottest occasions to go to, as a result of the cherry blossoms surrounding the property are in full bloom. The within of the fort has been transformed right into a museum, showcasing weapons utilized in battles that have been fought on the fort grounds.

four. Cat Island

In the event you’re a cat individual, it’s best to significantly take into account catching a ferry to the small Japanese island known as Tashirojima. The island is just one.2 miles lengthy, and over the previous few decade, the inhabitants has gone from roughly 1,000 individuals all the best way all the way down to solely 85. The dominant species dwelling on the island are over 100 stray cats. Clearly, because of this it has earned the nickname “Cat Island.”

The locals consider that cats convey good luck, to the extent that there’s even a cat shrine. Everybody on the island takes a collective duty to handle the cats, so it’s not shocking that Tashirojima has a really strict no-dogs-allowed coverage.

Three. Seasonal Festivals

In the event you go to Tokyo within the spring or summer time, remember to take a stroll via Ueno Park. In April, over 1,000 cherry blossom timber are in full bloom for less than a couple of week. Having fun with the flowers is a thousand-year-old custom known as “Hanami,” the place Japanese individuals to get outdoors to odor the cherry blossoms.

In the event you get hungry after a protracted stroll, there are many distributors promoting meals and drinks, or you may convey a picnic lunch. In the summertime, you could find festivals the place individuals gown up in an off-the-cuff Japanese kimono known as “yukata.” There are video games, stay performances, souvenirs, and tons of meals.

2. The Studio Ghibli Museum

In the event you grew up watching the animated movies directed by Hayao Miyazaki like Spirited Away or My Neighbor Totoro, you might wish to take a go to to the Studio Ghibli Museum. The museum is positioned within Tokyo’s lovely Inokashira Park. Miyazaki purposely designed the museum to encourage guests to work together with nature.

Each in and outdoors of the museum, there are locations for youngsters to play, and grownup followers will respect a behind-the-scenes look into the creation of the movies they grew up with. Remember the fact that this museum is so well-liked you want to purchase your tickets at the least a month forward of time.

1. Fushimi Inari

Probably the most iconic locations to go to in Japan is the Fushimi Inari Shrine in Southern Kyoto. Within the Shinto faith, Inari is the god of rice, and it was mentioned that he used foxes as his messengers. Probably the most beautiful and iconic a part of Fushimi Inari are the 1000’s of crimson torii gates, which lead guests to the summit of Mount Inari.

It takes 2-to-Three hours to hike via all the gates, however there are many locations to cease and admire the varied fox statues, or seize a chunk to eat alongside the best way. In the event you make all of it the best way to the highest of the mountain, you’ll be rewarded with beautiful views of Kyoto that you could’t discover anyplace else.